in the 1940's, he began opposing minority's policy of apartheid laws that segregated society. first, mandela was inspired by approach of nonviolent resistance. as white south africa became more aggressive, so did he. as the head of the armed wing of the african national congress, mandela led violent sabotage attacks and was arrested and in 1962. he would spend 27 years in jail. he was never forgotten. eventually, international and internal pressure led president klerk to announce apartheid would be dismantled and mandela would walk free. rather than seek richer view showing, nelson mandela reached oppressors.ormer he tried to heal a divided nation. and the clerk -- de klerk shared the nobel peace prize. >> in 1994, he voted for the with millions of his fellow black south africans. became a statesman and international icon. for south africa he was a symbol of the country and wanted to be despite struggles with poverty, and -- >> free of hatred, free of ofterness, free of any idea revenge. --many will remember this mandela celebrating south africa's place on the world hosted the